Chugoku

Chugoku is a region that’s lightly frequented by travelers, resulting in an authentic quiet charm that tourist hotspots may lack.

Divided into two sub-regions by a mountain chain that passes through the area, to the north of the mountains, along the Sea of Japan lies Sanin while Sanyo is to the south of the mountains and faces the Seto Inland Sea.

Sanin is known for its sand dunes, sand museum, Matsue Castle and Izumo Taisha Shrine, one of the oldest shrine complexes in Japan. To the south, Sanyo boasts of  attractions like the limestone Akiyoshido Cave, the wooden arch Kintai Bridge, Rurikoji Temple, Miyajima for its iconic giant Torii gate, Korakuen, which is one of the three great gardens of Japan, and Okayama Castle. For those who wish to take the less trodden path through Japan, Chugoku is a good choice.